IMM13 pass holders registered with the Immigration Department form only a fraction of the true migrant population in Sabah, said Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman.

He said the number of migrants is likely larger than reported due to the issuance of fake papers by illegal syndicates and pointed out the problem has become “chronic”.

“The Immigration Department may have recorded 55,000 active IMM13 holders. But truthfully the number is just tip of the iceberg. I believe the numbers are even more cause of the issuance of fake papers.

“I am certain there are many migrants who are willing to pay to obtain the documents even if it is illegal,” he said during his speech at the Law Dialogue with federal MPs and Sabah reps in Kota Kinabalu, today.

Due to uncertainty over the exact numbers in Sabah, Azis said this is why all migrants in Sabah need to be documented so they can integrate into society. He said documentation will also help police solve crimes involving migrants.

Azis said Sabah leaders also need to accept that the migrants will not be allowed back to their home countries.

He stressed that documentation does not amount to citizenship and that documented migrants will not be allowed to vote.

Azis added that Sabah needs strong political will to resolve its migrant problem. He also accused some opposition politicians prefer the issue unresolved to gain political mileage. – November 16, 2018.